The Federation of International Polo (FIP) President, Glen Holden, announced today that FIP has awarded the presentation of the FIP World Championship VIII to North America. The event will take place in Mexico in the year 2007.

"We are pleased with the decision to award this tournament to Mexico. The Mexican polo community has come together in this joint effort to present this prestigious event. The host club, Balvanera Polo and Country Club, is the Official Equestrian Center for Mexico and has hosted for several years major events. Mexico has been a long member and supporter of FIP and has in past produced wonderful FIP Tournaments including the largest Ambassadors Cup that consisted of 96 players. I am very excited to return again to the beautiful country of Mexico for the finals of this event." President Holden said when making the announcement.Pablo Rincon Gallardo will serve as the organizer for this event. “We are honored to have been chosen to host the FIP World Championship VIII. We have the support the entire Mexican polo community including the players and the clubs, and the government”.

For the Eighth FIP World Championship, FIP plans to expand the number of participating countries to 30, which is the largest ever, competing in the zone playoff system and has already begun to make plans. New Zealand has been awarded the presentation of Zone D that includes the countries of Africa, Asia and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand). New Zealand plans to present its Zone Playoff in Auckland in March 2007. Mexico has also been granted the Zone A Playoffs (North and Central America) to be played in the Spring of 2007. The remaining two Zones (South American Zone and European Zone) Playoffs will be awarded within the next few weeks.

Please visit the FIP website at www.fippolo.com for updates on the plans for the World Championship VIII and the Zone playoffs.

FIP, currently with headquarters in Beverly Hills, CA, was founded in 1983 and currently represents the national polo associations of more than 80 countries. In addition to organizing international tournaments, FIP also develops international tournaments for children, conducts umpiring and coaching seminars and encourages participation in the sport of polo at all levels and ages.